10 Best Charcoal Smokers (2023) Who’s the Winner & Why?

1 - Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker 18"

The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker 18" is one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly charcoal-based smokers on the market.

It is a great smoker for those who want to cook large quantities of smoked foods at once, as it has two cooking grates that can accommodate everything from ribs to brisket.

The smoker also contains a built-in temperature gauge and manual damper control, which makes for easy temperature adjustment. Small and light, the smoker is easy to assemble and store.

A huge bonus is that the fuel door is separate from the lid, allowing me to add wood or charcoal without losing all the heat.

The door is fully removable, which prevents burns and mishaps. These charcoal-based smokers also feature a porcelain-enameled water pan that is easy to clean.

2 - Classic Pit Barrel Cooker

This is a great Classic Pit drum cooker for those who want to smoke larger items such as briskets and pork shoulders.

This "set it and forget it" cooker that stands provides 8-12 hour cooking times without needing to refuel.

These charcoal-based smokers come with a grill, hooks, and a stand, making it easy for inexperienced smoking enthusiasts to set up and use.

The setup and cleanup are simple, and the smoker doesn't require much maintenance.

The heavy-duty material means the cooker will have a long lifespan, with some buyers reporting up to 40-50 cooks a year with no visible wear to the smoker.

I particularly appreciate that the hooks let me hang eight racks of ribs or two turkeys .

This amount of meat means I can entertain a large group in the backyard without needing many square inches of cooking space.

3 - Char-Griller AKORN Kamado Grill

The Char-Griller AKORN Kamado is a fuel-efficient smoker known for being highly versatile.

You can use it as a smoker, grill, or even oven, giving you many outdoor cooking options with many square inches of cooking space.

These charcoal-based smokers are made with powder-coated steel and feature triple-wall insulation that keeps heat in and cold out.

You can easily monitor the temperature with the built-in thermostat, and the air dampers allow you to control the amount of airflow. The smoker also has two porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates that are easy to clean.

I like that the Kamado comes with a fuel door, ash pan, and side shelves, making it one of the most user-friendly charcoal smokers on the market.

I particularly enjoy that I don't have to get multiple appliances to cook the different foods I want at cookouts.

4 - Weber Original Kettle Premium Grill

The Original Kettle Premium Grill is a reasonable option for those looking for an affordable and beginner-friendly grill.

This is one of the most popular grills on the market, and Weber is a trusted brand name for buyers.

Though primarily designed as a straight-up grill, it can be used as a low-n'-slow cooker and excels at both of those options.

Additionally, these charcoal smokers are made from high-quality porcelain-enameled metal that will make them last for many years.

I appreciate that the grill has a built-in temperature gauge to make smoking easier and legs that fold in for easy storage. Further, the lid can hang on the side of the grill while you're cooking, which is very helpful.

5 - Masterbuilt Gravity 800 Series Griddle Smoker

The Masterbuilt Gravity 800 Series Griddle Smoker is a unique smoker that uses gravity to feed charcoal into the smoker, making it super easy to use.

It also has a large griddle top that you can use for cooking and multiple smoker racks that yield many square inches of cooking space.

For high-tech charcoal grilling and smoking enthusiasts, its WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled temperature control will help fine-tune their smoking even when they are not next to the unit.

The charcoal chimney starter makes it easy to reach the proper cooking temperature quickly.

The digital automation of the gravity feeder makes for an easy smoking experience, and I really enjoy the versatility of using it as a cabinet-style charcoal smoker or a grill.

This is an excellent option for a techie griller because of its control and safety features.

6 - Dyna Glo Signature Heavy Duty Vertical Smoker

The Dyna Glo Signature Heavy Duty Vertical Smoker has a design that maximizes smoking space.

It's a budget-friendly option for those that want a more heavy gauge metal smoker.

These vertical charcoal-based smokers have three chrome-plated grill racks that provide ample space for smoking meat.

This vertical smoker is easy to move on its two oversized wheels despite its large cooking area.

The charcoal management system handles large amounts of ash, so you get hours of refueling-free cooking.

I like that the spring-like door handle allows you to check on your food needing a glove or burning your hand, and the installed temperature gauge is very accurate.

This vertical charcoal smoker is good for those with a smaller backyard and needs a compact option.

7 - Charbroil Bullet Charcoal Smoker

The Charbroil Bullet Charcoal Smoker is a good smoker for those on a budget. It's small and compact, making it the perfect size for smaller yards or balconies.

The smoker holds temperatures for hours, so you don't have to worry about manipulating the door too often to refuel.

These charcoal-based smokers have a cleanable, removable ash pan that makes emptying very simple.

They also are made of sturdy porcelain-coated wall construction that lets you cook regularly without fear of burn-through.

This Bullet has a fire access door that tightly seals the smoke chamber.

I appreciate that these charcoal-based smokers have an airflow control system with numbers on the dampers.

I find this simplifies temperature regulation and allows me to reproduce temperature levels from one smoking session to another.

8 - Kamado Joe Jr. Charcoal Grills

The Kamado Joe Jr. Grill is a good choice for people that want a grill that saves fuel and keeps a constant temperature.

Kamado grills are made of thick ceramic walls that hold in heat and moisture, giving your food that perfect smoke ring every time.

These charcoal-based smokers also have a cast iron top vent that gives you complete control over the grill's temperature.

Though smaller than some of Kamado Joe's other products, it is able to smoke a full pork butt or a couple of chickens.

I do love that these charcoal-based smokers are so fuel efficient. I can use three or four handfuls of charcoal and not have to refuel for eight hours.

And at the end of my smoke, a handy slide-out ash drawer makes it easy to clean up.

9 - Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Drum Smoker

The Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Drum smoker is a good choice for those who want quality and durability.

It's made of heavy-duty steel that can take a beating and has a porcelain-coated cooking surface that is easy to clean.

These charcoal-based smokers also have an ash pan that you can easily remove with a single hand.

Its oversize charcoal basket lets you smoke for hours without needing to add more lump or briquette charcoal.

“I prefer lump charcoal over briquettes, but I do use both for different reasons and different recipes, and sometimes I combine them both when I really want the woodsy aroma from the lump charcoal and long, even heat from the briquettes.”
- Bobby Flay, Chef

And when hanging meat in the drum, the Bronco smoker's size is perfect for those who want to smoke large cuts of beef or multiple racks of ribs.

I appreciate how easy it is to move the smoker around the backyard with its large wheels.

This sets these charcoal-based smokers apart from most drum smokers, which are notoriously challenging to move. It also comes with a rubberized handle grip that stays cool.

10 - Royal Gourmet 30" Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker

The Royal Gourmet Grill with Offset Smoker is a solid smoker for those who want large capacity without breaking the bank.

It has a design that allows you to grill some meat while simultaneously smoking other food.

The two-level, adjustable charcoal pan gives you complete control over the heat, and the easy-to-read thermometer lets you judge when your food is cooking at the correct temperature.

The excellent temperature control in the cooking chamber is thanks to the separate firebox that houses the charcoal. You can also use wood chips in the firebox to add smoky flavor to your food.

One of my favorite features of this offset smoker is the large workspace in front of the grill. It gives me lots of working space for tools, accessories, plates, and more.

There is also a bottom shelf where I can store seasonings and other grilling items.